CLA welcomes first Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector
Alan Laidlaw must work independently to support landlords and tenants, says CLA President
The CLA has welcomed the first Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector into the role.
Alan Laidlaw, who spent more than a decade on the senior management team at The Crown Estate, where he was responsible for a 250,000-acre UK-wide rural portfolio, one of the country’s largest agricultural tenanted estates, has been confirmed in the position today.
He will act as a point of contact for tenants, landlords and advisors, with the aim of ensuring fair practice.
The Commissioner will promote the standards set out in the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice, working closely with Defra and the Farm Tenancy Forum, the government–industry group that advises Defra on supporting and improving the farm tenancy sector in England.
His responsibilities will include investigating complaints, tracking trends, offering guidance and reporting regularly on tenant-landlord relations.
'Fair and balanced'
Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said:
“The CLA supports a vibrant tenanted sector and we welcome Alan Laidlaw into the role of Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector."
It is crucial for the healthy future of the farm tenancy sector that the commissioner works independently, and is fair and balanced for landlords, agents and tenants. The role must have the resources to properly assess any cases that reach them
“The Farm Tenancy Forum has done much to bring landlords and tenants to a better understanding and way of working, and we look forward to working with the commissioner in continuing this progress.”
CLA Deputy President Gavin Lane met with Mr Laidlaw and the new Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds on farm yesterday (Thursday) to discuss the role.
The appointment follows recommendations from the Rock Review, which set out ways to improve resilience in the tenant farming sector.
